Sheet metal treating machine



Nov. 24, 9 c. s. WOOLFORD 2,3 SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov- 24, 19 2- c. s. WOOLFO RD SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Filed Feb 28, 1940 .2 Sheets-$110M 2 Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED s'lx irlas PATENT I OFFICE SHEET METAL TREATING MACHINE Custis S. Woolford, South Orange,

N. J., assignmto American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 28, 1940, Serial N1 321,326

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for treating metallic sheet material and has particular reference to preparing such material for can manufacture or similar purposes wherein sealed joints or seams are produced and wherein the plate is dipped into a deoxidizing medium preparatory to sealing of the seams.

In can manufacture, sheets or strips of steel or iron, usually referred to as black plate, are coated Such a side seam may include an overlapping or an interfolding of the blank edges and these edges may be soldered or welded together to make a tight joint.

For some products the use of the untirmed black plate has been suggested in the manufacture of cans. However, it has been found difllcult to solder or weld the side seams. of such cans because of the oxide surface of the black plate. The same is also true of some metallic coated sheets other than those which are tin coated. Such oxide surfaces may be prepared for soldering, etc., by deoxidation.

The instant invention contemplates a machine for overcoming this difficulty by preparing the blanks in a deoxidizing medium so that the side seam edges may be readily soldered or welded.

An object, therefore, of the invention is the provision of a black iron or other sheet metal treating machine wherein the sheets are dipped into a deoxidizing medium preparatory to being formed into cans and as an incident to having their edges sealed in a seam. Another object-is the provision of such a ma chine wherein the deoxidized sheets are immediately washed with hot clean water and; dried after being subjected to such a deoxidizing treatment.

Another object is the provision of a machine of this character wherein the sheets to be deoxidized move in a continuous procession through the machine and are subjected to the deoxidizing treatment in progressive stages.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

. subjected of adjacent radial pockets 24.

mounted on a transverse shaft 26 journaled in Referring t the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying the instant invention; and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the'machine, with parts broken away and parts shown in section.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings disclose a machine in which metallic sheets in the form of can body blanks A are to'a deoxidizing treatment prior to the blanks being formed into container bodies. In such a treatment the blanks are first dipped into a bath B (Fig. 2) of a liquid deoxidizing medium or agent such as for example, hot hydrochloric acid or hot sulphuric acid.

Upon being withdrawn from the deoxidizing bath B the sheets are immediately washed off in a bath C of hot clean water. This washing is followed by a drying treatment wherein hot air is blown against the sheets to dry them; The drying action prevents the sheets from rusting.

The machine for subjecting the sheetsA to such a deoxidizing treatment preferably includes an open top tank frame H having transverse partition walls l2 which divide it into three separate tank sections or compartments. These tank sections include adeoxidizing tank compartment l3, a washing tank compartment l4, and a drying tank compartment l5.

The deoxidizing tank I3 contains the bath B of hot deoxidizing liquid. This liquid is circulated through the tank by way of an inlet pipe I! and an outlet pipe I8. The pipes are threaded into a side wall of the tank frame and communicate with the interior of the tank 13. The inlet pipe I! leads to any suitable source of the deoxldizing medium. The outlet pipe I8 may also lead to the same source of the deoxidizing medium so that the returned liquid may be recirculated through the tank.

Within the deoxidizing tank Hi there is located a pair of spaced rotatable deoxidizing wheels 2| having'enlarged hubs 22 from which a plurality of vanes 23 radiate. The vanes set off a plurality The wheels are bearings 21 bolted to pads 28 formed on the tank frame H adjacent'its topedge. The shaft is continuously rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) and in any suitable manner such as for example by a chain 29 which takes over a driving sprocket 3| mounted on one end of the shaft.

The sheets A to be deoxidized are fed in any suitable manner in horizontal position across a table 83 secured to a pad 34 formed on the front,

of the tank frame adjacent its top edge. As

i a pocket 24 of the rotating Wheels 2| comes adjacent the table, the sheet A is pushed into the pocket. One end of the sheet is in a pocket of one wheel and the other end of the sheet is in a similar pocket in the other wheel. In this position the sheet is carried down into the bath of deoxidizing liquid in the tank as the wheel continues to rotate. Longitudinal guide rail partitions 36 in the tank, below each wheel, hold the sheets in the pockets as the Wheels carry them through the liquid.

When the wheels bring the sheets up out of. the deoxidizing liquid each sheet is.discharged from its pocket bya continuously moving endless chain conveyor 4| having discharge fingers 42. This chain conveyor is located between the deoxidizing wheels 2| and operates over a pair of spaced sprockets 43, 44. Sprocket 43-is mounted on and is keyed to a cross-shaft 45 journaled in bearings 46 formed on a transverse table 41 located adjacent the discharge side of the deoxidizing wheels and the bearings are secured to suitable pads formed on the tank frame adjacent its top edge.

Sprocket 44 is mounted on a short shaft 48 secured in an H shaped bent bracket 49 disposed between the two deoxidizing wheels 2|. At one end, the bracket is formed with a pair of spaced bearings 50 which surround the conveyor shaft 45. The other end of the bracket is formed with a similar pair of bearings which surround the deoxidizing wheel shaft 26. These bearings 50, 5| are formed. in the arms of the bracket 49 which is tied together in the middle by an integral web part 52.

The conveyor 4| is actuated in time with the rotation of the deoxidizing wheels 2|. This is eifected by way of an endless drive chain 55 which takes over a drive sprocket 56 mounted on the deoxidizing wheel shaft 26 and over a driven sprocket 51 mounted on the conveyor shaft-45.

Hence when the sheet A in its pocket 24 of the deoxidizingwheels 2| comes into a horizontal position adjacent the conveyor chain 4| a finger 42 of the chain engages behind the sheet and pushes it out of the pockets and clear of the wheels which continue to rotate. At that time the sheet I is-already deoxidized and in passing from the deoxidizing wheels, is propelled across the discharge table 41 in readiness for entry into the Y adjacent washing tank |4 hereinbefore mentioned.

sprocket 13 mounted on the deoxidlzing wheel shaft 26. The chain also takes over a driven sprocket 14 which is mounted on the washing wheel shaft 68.

Hence as the rotating washing wheels 64 move their pockets 66 past the discharge table 41 of the deoxidizing tank I3, a deoxidized sheet A being discharged from the deoxidizing tank by the conveyor 4| is pushed directly into a passing pocket of the washing wheels. The received sheet is thereupon carried by the washing wheels down into and throughthe clean washing water. This action thoroughly Washes off any of the deoxidizing liquid B which adheres to the sheet when it is discharged from the deoxidizing tank. During the passage of the sheets through the washing water they are held in their wheel pockets by a pair of longitudinal guide rail partitions 15.

When the washing wheels 64 bring the washed sheets up out of the water and again into a horizontal position, each sheet is discharged from its pocket by a continuously moving endless chain conveyor 16. This chain may be identical with the deoxidizing conveyor 4|. The washing tank conveyor 76 is formed with spaced discharge fingers and operates over a pair of spaced sprockets TI, 18. Sprocket T! is carried in an H-shaped bracket 19 which is identical with the H-shaped bracket 49 and is similarly mounted between the washing wheels.

Sprocket I8 is mounted on a drive shaft 62 which is journaled in a pair of bearings 83 secured to pads 64 formed on the tank frame U adjacent its top. edge. The shaft is continuously rotated by an endless chain 86 which takes over a driven sprocket 81 carried on an outer end of the shaft and over a driving sprocket 8B which is mounted on the deoxidizing conveyor shaft Hence when a washed sheet in its washing wheel pocket 66 comes adjacent the discharge conveyor I6, a finger on the conveyor engages behind the washed sheet and carries it out of the pocket and clear of the wheel. The discharged sheet now is supported on a discharge table 89 where it is adjacent the drying tank' l5 hereinbefore mentioned.

The drying tank I 5 contains a pair of drying wheels 92 which are preferably identical in con- .struction and operation with the deoxidizing The washing tank l4 contains the bath 0 of hot washing water hereinbefore mentioned. Clean heated water is constantly circulated through the tank by way of an inlet pipe 6| and an outlet pipe 62. These pipes are threaded into a side wall of the tank frame II and communicate with the interior of the tank l4. The inlet pipe leads from any suitable source of clean hot water while the outlet pipe leads to any suitable place of discharge for the used water.

Within the washing tank N there is located a pair of spaced washing wheels 64 which are preferably identical in construction with the deoxidizing wheels 2|. These washing wheels also are formed with a plurality-of radial vanes 65 which set off radial pockets 66. V

The washing wheels 64 are mounted on a crossshaft 68 which is journaled in a pair of bearings 69 secured to pads 1| formed on the tank frame I! adjacent its top edge. The shaft is continuo' sly rotated in a counterclockwise direction by an endless chain 12 which takes over a driving wheels 2| and the washing wheels 64. These drying wheels also are formed with radial vanes 93 which set off sheet carrying pockets 94.

The drying wheels 92 are rotated in time with the other wheels and for this purpose they are mounted on a cross-shaft 96 which is journaled in a pair of spaced bearings 91 bolted to pads 98 formed on the tank frame ll adjacent its top edge. The shaft is rotated by an endless chain |0| which takes over a driven sprocket I02 carried on an outer end of the shaft andover a driving sprocket I03 which is mounted on the washing wheel shaft 68.

As the drying wheels .92 rotate in their tank compartment and carry their radial pockets 64 past the washing tank discharge table 99, a

- washed sheet A being discharged from the washwheel hold the sheets in the pockets of the moving wheels.

from a plurality of curved pipes !08 which are located adjacent the path of travel of the sheets as they pass through the tank.

The outer ends of the pipes lead from any suitable source of hot air maintained under pressure.

The inner ends of the pipes are closed with caps I09. Along their length the pipes are formed with a plurality of spacednozzles or are merely perforated in small discharge holes I I I. The hot air forced into the pipes IIIB under pressure issues from the discharge holes III in small jets which impinge against the wet sheets as they move past.

It is this action that dries the sheets.

Discharge of the dried sheets from the drying tank I5 is effected in the same manner as from the deoxidizing tank and the washing tank hereinbefore described- This discharge is brought about by a horizontal endless chain conveyor I I3 which is formed with suitable discharge fingers. The conveyor takes over a driven sprocket H4 and a driving sprocket H5. Sprocket H4 is carried in an H-shaped bracket I I6 which is identical withthe deoxidizing conveyor bracket 49 and the washing conveyor bracket I9 and is mounted between the drying wheels in the same manner.

Sprocket H5 is carried on a. cross-shaft II8. which is journaled in pair of spaced bearings I Is secured to pads I2I formed on the tank frame II adjacent its top edge. The shaft is driven in time with the other conveyors by an endless chain I23 which takes over a sprocket I24 carried on an outer end of the shaft. The chain is driven by a sprocket 525 which is carried on the washing 'tank discharge conveyor shaft 82.

Hence as the rotating drying wheels 92 bring a dried sheet up out of the drying tank it comes adjacent the discharge conveyor H3 and one oi. its discharge fingers engages behind the sheet and pushes it out of its wheel pocket 94. The ejected sheet falls into a discharge chute I21 secured to the end of the tank frame II and is thus directed to any suitable place of deposit.

It is thought that the invention and many of v its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: g

1. In a machine for treating metallic sheets in continuous procession, "the combination of an open top tank frame having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partition walls dividing said frame into three separate contiguous tank sections comprising respectively a sheet detoxidizing compartment for holding a liquid deoxidizing medium, a sheet washing compartment for holding a washing liquid and a sheet drying compartment having drying means therein, a

conveyor wheel having radially disposed sheet r'e- 2. In a machine for treating metallic sheets in a continuous procession, the combination of an open top tank frame having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partition walls dividing said frame into three separate contiguous tank sections comprising respectively a sheet deoxidizing compartment for holding a liquid deoxidizing medium, a sheet washing compartment for holding a washing liquid and a sheet drying compartment having drying means therein, a conveyor wheel having radially disposed sheet receiving pockets thereon rotatably mounted on each tank compartment and having means for rotating the same to successively immerse the pocketed sheets in the separate deoxidizing and washing liquids in adjacent tank compartments and for thereafter drying the sheets thus treated in a succeeding tank drying compartment, a plurality of endless conveyors respectively mounted between adjacent tank compartments for succesets of a said rotating wheel in one of said tank compartments and for transferring the sheets respectively to the succeeding positioned pockets of a rotating wheel in a succeeding tank compartment, and means for. continuously driving said sheet conveyor wheels and said endless conveyors in synchronism from a common power source.

3. In a machine forv treating metallic sheets in continuous procession, the combination of an open top tank frame having a plurality of longi-= tudinally spaced transverse partition walls dividing said frame into three separate contiguous tank sections comprising respectively a sheet d oxldizing compartment for holding a liquid deoxidizing medium, a sheet washing compartment for holding a washing liquid and a sheet dryin compartment having drying means therein, a

pipes disposed adjacent the periphery of said.

drying compartment wheel and having spaced apertures therein for projecting jets of air upon the washed sheets for drying the same, and a plurality of endless conveyors respectively mounted betweenadiacent tank compartments for successively receiving the treated sheets from the pockets of a said rotating wheel in one of said tank compartments and for transferring the sheets respectively to the succeeding positioned pockets of a rotating wheel in asucceeding tank compartment.

, CUS'I'IB s. woou'oan. 

